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One thing no one's mentioned yet - make sure your payment method is set up correctly in eServices. I've seen people win appeals, then their backpay was sent to an old debit card or closed bank account. Double-check your payment settings while you're waiting!
UPDATE: I just received my first backpay deposit! $4,600 hit my account this morning - exactly 11 days after getting the appeal decision. Called yesterday using that special collections number that someone suggested, and apparently that did the trick. The agent said the remaining amount should come through within 72 hours. Thanks everyone for your help with this!
One more thing I forgot to mention - after your hearing, the judge won't make a decision right away. You'll receive their written decision by mail within 2-3 weeks. If you win, benefits are usually processed within a week after the decision and include all back payments from when you first filed. If you lose, you have another appeal option to the Commissioner's Review Office, though that's much more complicated. But focus on winning this hearing first!
I really appreciate all this information. The waiting for a decision part is going to be tough, but at least I'll be prepared for it now. I'll update this thread after my hearing to let everyone know how it went!
Does anyone know if they'll still be doing the weekly payments for claims that are already approved during a shutdown? Or does EVERYTHING stop??
Existing approved claims should continue to be paid during a shutdown. The payment system is automated and state-run, so weekly payments for approved claims typically continue uninterrupted. It's the processing of new claims, adjudications, and appeals that tend to see the biggest impacts.
Just wanted to update everyone - I used Claimyr this morning and actually got through to someone at ESD! The agent told me that my adjudication is almost complete but was waiting for employer verification. She noted the financial hardship on my account and said she would expedite it. She also confirmed that a government shutdown would add approximately 1-2 weeks to pending adjudications that require federal database checks, but mine shouldn't be affected much since they already have all the information they need. Such a relief to finally talk to someone who could help!
That's awesome! Glad u finally got some answers. The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part sometimes.
Marcus Williams
lol i think ur getting wayyy ahead of urself... who knows what the unemployment system will even look like after ur out... they change the rules like every 6 months anyway!!! good luck tho
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Jay Lincoln
One more important point: When you're released, if your benefit year has expired, you'll need to have worked and earned qualifying wages AFTER your previous claim was filed to be eligible for a new claim. This means you likely need to find employment first, work for a while, and then if you lose that job through no fault of your own, you could file a new claim. Unemployment isn't designed to restart after a long absence from the workforce - it's specifically for people who have recently lost employment. Focus on reentry programs that help with job placement after incarceration, as these will be more immediately helpful than trying to restart unemployment benefits.
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Brooklyn Foley
•That makes a lot of sense. I'll look into reentry programs. Thanks for all the detailed information - it's giving me a clearer picture of what to expect and plan for.
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